Shloka 5.1.126
समुद्रलङ्घनारम्भः — Commencement of the Ocean-Crossing
स मामुपागतः क्रुद्धो वज्रमुद्यम्य देवराट्।ततोऽहं सहसा क्षिप्तः श्वसनेन महात्मना।।।।
sa mām upāgataḥ kruddho vajram udyamya devarāṭ |
tato ’haṃ sahasā kṣiptaḥ śvasanena mahātmanā ||
When the lord of the gods, Indra, came at me in wrath with his thunderbolt raised, then the great Wind-god swiftly snatched me away and cast me down at once.
"Angry Indra held the thunderbolt and came towards me chasing. At that time the great Wind-god tossed me into the air and dropped me down at once.
Dharma here highlights protective duty: a powerful ally (Vāyu) intervenes to preserve one who is threatened, showing that strength is meant to safeguard, not merely to punish.
Maināka recounts a past episode: Indra, angered, pursued him with the vajra, and the Wind-god intervened by swiftly casting Maināka away to safety.
Vāyu’s guardianship and steadfast protectiveness—timely help offered without hesitation.